Flight of Spice: How To Wear the Colors of 2016

I write this post moments after doing a COLOR TEST with my favourite Stylist, Derly Cubillos. She has been studying image design for years in Spain, UK and USA and is a color specialist. I don´t say this because she is my friend, but she is freaking awsome at what she does – and she just opened a whole new color world for me.

Like many women, I have always intuitively known what colours suite me better and make me feel good. As co-owner of design studio I am well versed in color theory, the color wheel and how to mix and match – but I have to admit, I had never had a test like this done based on my skin tone, eyes and hair. The effect each color has and what it portrays on me is uncanny. It turns out colors are not as universal as I thought.

I am sure you already know that certain colors work better on you than others. That some can make you look older and more serious or vise versa – but were you aware that you can manipulate these effects by mixing in other tones and by adding the right make up in the right places? Or that you can change how people perceive you just based on the combination of colors you wear?

Yes, its true. When you know this, and you have seen it with your own eyes on your own skin, clouds open up and a ray of light shines over the forgotten side of your closet.

This gives “color play” a whole new meaning. And this is were the colors of 2016 come in:

This year pallet has very distinctive shades. As a fashion addict, I would love to try them all – but when I first saw them the first time, the little voice inside my head said “PUKE- GREEN-FLASH? REALLY¡?” Yet now, after doing the color test, I can assure you YOU WILL SEE IT IN MY CLOSET.

As Derly and I discussed, many of us know what works and what doesn´t – even if its on an unconscious level. But being well aware of it, and understanding why and how each color affects our main features is a different ballgame. It allows you to re-fresh your look without changing your style. It multiplies our fashion creativity infinitely and really does shine a new light on old pieces. Im excited to try new things (you should see my closet right now. . .)

ROSE QUARTS BLOGGER STYLE - ROSA QUARZO BLOG.ai

Today, I went for ROSE QUARTZ. One of my favourite colors of all time for my #GirlyMoods. Not surprisingly the test showed it went beautifully with my skin. In my case I have a slight hint of reddish tones and this color gives a lot of light under my eyes, around my lips, it brings out my eyes and increases the contrast between my skin and my hair color. Total Facelift – just with the right color. (I´m going to be wearing this a LOT more).

And it just so happens I had just acquired a SEE BY CHLOE bag and had found this blouse in my closet. SCORE!

But, CAN WE TALK ABOUT THE SHOES?! I LOVE my Shutz. I´m a little bit obsessed with them, really. I even wore them in Scotland in freezing temperatures (yep. believe it). And the thing is that those little steel colored crystals are NEUTRAL. In fact, metal colors are considered neutrals and this means, they work with everything (should they have the right design). So get rid of that old idea that these type of sandals are used only for cocktail parties.

And going back to this year´s chromatic trends, if you want to experiment but you aren´t sure about a color – the best place to start is your shoes. They will give that POP and make the statement. 2016 is the year to take the risk.

PINK COLOR OF 2016 5

So, yeah – you will see a lot or of the colors of 2016 on the blog. And you know that if you are in doubt of what colors suit you or how you can use them in your favour for non-verbal comunication, you can contact Derly in Costa Rica!… well, if you find her, because she is often flying to see her clients in the USA and EU. 😉